Wall easel

ABSTRACT

THE EASEL FRAME INCLUDES EXTRUDED ELEMENTS OF CSHAPED CROSS SECTION, HAVING SPACED LEGS JOINED BY A WEB. ONE LEG IS LONGER THAN THE OTHER AND INCLUDES A LONGITUDINAL CHANNEL FOR RECEIVING AND ANCHORING A CHALK BOARD OR OTHER PANEL WHICH ABUTS THE ENDS OF THE OTHER LEG. THE OTHER LEG PROVIDES A CHALK TRAY MOUNTING SURFACE. A WALL MOUNTING BRACKET INCLUDES A SUPPORT POST EXTENDING UP FROM THE LOWER LEG WHICH FITS IN A SOCKET RECESS ON THE LOWER EASEL FRAME MEMBER FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING THE EASEL ABOUT THE POST. A SELF-LUBRICATING BUSHING IS INSERTED IN THE SOCKET AND INCLUDES AN INDEXING STOP PORTION ENGAGEABLE WITH THE LOWER FRAME ELEMENT TO INDEX THE BUSHING WITHIN THE SOCKET AND PREVENT RELATIVE ROTATION BETWEEN THE BUSHING AND EASEL FRAME. AN ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENT PROVIDES A PAIR OF EASELS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER. A CHANNEL LOCK SLIPS OVER THE UPPER PORTION OF EACH FRAME FOR LOCKING THE FRAMES IN A FIXED RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER. AN ALTERNATIVE MOUNTING BRACKET INCLUDES MAGNETIC MEANS SECURING THE EASEL TO THE WALL.

D- FICHTEL WALL EASEL March 6, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 10,1971 I NVEN TOR.

O/ETEE F/CA TEL.

United States ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The easel frame includesextruded elements of C- shaped cross section, having spaced legs joinedby a web. One leg is longer than the other and includes a longitudinalchannel for receiving and anchoring a chalk board or other panel whichabuts the end of the other leg. The other leg provides a chalk traymounting surface. A wall mounting bracket includes a support postextending up from the lower leg which fits in a socket recess on thelower easel frame member for pivotally supporting the easel about thepost. A self-lubricating bushing is inserted in the socket and includesan indexing stop portion engageable with the lower frame element toindex the bushing within the socket and prevent relative rotationbetween the bushing and easel frame. An alternative arrangement providesa pair of easels mounted for rotation relative to each other. A channellock slips over the upper portions of each frame for locking the framesin a fixed relationship to each other. An alternative mounting bracketincludes magnetic means securing the easel to the wall.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates to an improved wall easelassembly, and more particularly to an improved frame and means forpivotally mounting same to a wall or the like.

Wall easels generally include a chalk board mounted in a wooden frame,the frame including a chalk tray. The frame may be pivotally mounteddisplaying a chalk board on one side and a tack board or other displayboard on the other.

The wooden frames, however, are unduly heavy and expensive. Itsfabrication requires skilled craftsmanship. In use, there is a tendencyfor the wood to warp. If the frame is to be pivotally mounted, amounting bushing must be glued in place in a hole in the wood, thusrequiring yet another special operation.

Thus, there is a need for an easel that is both light and sturdy, yetwhich requires little maintenance. In addi tion, there is a need foreasel construction which is more economical, while at the same time isas attractive as a Wooden easel. Finally, there is a need for greaterimagination and versatility in wall easel design-a need for easels whichwill match the versatility of modern ofiice design and construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION mounted and includes a bushing which isinstalled with-- out the need for a gluing operation. The bushing fitsinto a hole in the longer leg and the top of the bushing abuts theshorter leg. However, a stop projects upwardly from the top of thebushing and abuts the shorter leg of the atent ice vertical frame memberwhich is secured to the bottom member. This stop prevents the bushingfrom rotating when the easel rotates.

The invention also contemplates a mounting bracket which facilitatesmounting the easel on moveable metal wall panels. Thus, a bracket issecured to each side of the easel and to a magnetic plate. The easel canbe placed against a metal partition and will stay in place.

Finally, another aspect of the invention contemplates a pair of easelshingedly mounted together. A channel shaped member fits over the top ofthe easels to hold them in a fixed position relative to one another.

These are a few aspects of the invention which illustrate its economyand versatility. Other aspects, objects and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent by reference to the written specification and theappended drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of atwo-sided swivelmounted wall ease provided by this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the wall easel shown in FIG. 1rotated degrees to show the opposite side of the easel;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the frame elements provided by thisinvention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane IV-IV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a broken, cross-sectional view taken along plane VV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane VI- VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the bushing and post means provided by thisinvention for pivotally mounting the easel to the bracket;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment providedby this invention which utilizes two easel frames mounted for rotationrelative to each other;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 8 easel with the twoframes rotated in an open planar position;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingsin detail, FIGS. 16 illustrate one form of this invention and show atwosided easel 10 swivel-mounted to a wall 12 about a rotational axisshown at 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The easel includes a frame 30 to which ismounted in back to back fashion a chalk board panel 19 and a tack boardpanel 17. The easel swings in door-like fashion between a first positionwherein tack board 17 is exposed to the eye of an observer (FIG. 1) anda second position wherein chalk board 19 is exposed to the eye of anobserver (FIG. 2).

The easel frame 30 is comprised of an upper element 32, a lower element34 and a pair of side elements 36 and 38. Preferably, the ends of eachelement are mitered as shown in FIG. 5 to present a smooth mitered jointconnection of each element to each other. One or more small screws 40through the mitered joints anchors the frame rigidly into a one pieceunit. One advantage provided by the frame elements of this invention isthat they are comprised of anodized aluminum extrusions which have ahollow cross section so that they are extremely light. The cross sectionof each frame element is shown clearly in FIG. 3A and is generallyC-shaped, having a long leg 42 and a short leg 46 joined by a web 41.The frame element is preferably open between legs 42 and 46 except forjoining web 41. Long leg 42 constitutes the outside of the frame 30 andincludes inwardly projecting flanges 43 and 44 which define a panel receiving groove. The free end edge 47 of short leg 46 is aligned with theinside edge of groove 45, towards web 41, so that a panel inserted ingroove 45 will abut against end 47. Projecting inwardly at the junctionof long leg 42 and web 41 is rib 43a whose cross-sectional configurationis comparable to that of flanges 43 and 44. This reinforces the cornerand also facilitates extrusion of the frame element. Appropriate bossesare provided in the ends of rib 43a and flange 44 for receiving screws40. Preferably groove 45 is equal in width to one of the panels 17 and19 so that the panel will fit snugly therein. Preferably chalk boardpanel 19 fits in groove 45. Tack board panel 17 is shortened (FIG. 4)along each dimension twice the depth of groove 45 and is secured tochalk board panel 19 as by gluing. The entire panel assembly is thuspositively anchored with the frame when the elements are interconnected.Of course, it will be understood that panels other than chalk board 19and tack board '17 could be used depending on particular needs.

Positioned atop short leg 46 of lower frame element 34 is an articlereceiving tray 50 for chalk, etc. (FIG. 4). A tray maybe provided onboth the upper and lower frame elements in those cases where the easelis capable of being inverted. Preferably, the tray 50 is a channelshaped unit which is affixed to the inner face 48 of the frame elementin some manner such as with two-way adhesive tape 33.

Chalk board 19 includes a pair of projecting pins 20 and 22 foranchoring large pieces of paper, drawings or other informational bearingindicia. Preferably, a threaded bushing 24 is anchored in the chalkboard 19 with pins 20 and 22 threaded therein. Each pin 20, 22 includesan additional pivotal pin 26 mounted through a slot 28 on the end ofeach pin 20, 22. The paper or other matter is inserted over the pin andthe pin is then pivoted transversely to the mounting pin as shown inFIG. 2 to prevent the paper from unintentionally becoming disengagedfrom the anchoring pins.

Referring in detail to FIG. 4, the easel 10 is mounted to a wall 12 orother upstanding support member by a bracket 54 having a generallyU-shape configuration, the web portion 56 being substantially longerthan the legs 58 and 60. The length of web portion 56 is dictated by theoverall height of the easel since the easel is mounted between theprojecting upper and lower legs 58 and 60.

The primary support of the easel is borne by the lower leg 60 whichincludes a post 62 projecting upwards from leg 60 for insertion into abushing 64 (FIG. set within a hole or socket 66 provided in the long leg42 of lower frame element 34. Bushing 64 has a generally cylindricalconfiguration with an open end 68 facing downwards and corresponding ininside diameter to the diameter of post 62 to permit the insertion ofthe post into the bushing. Within bushing 64 and spaced upwardly fromopening 68 is a plug 70 which closes the top of bushing 64 and providesan abutment surface for the post so that when the easel is rotated, thebushing and easel frame is rotated relative to the post about axis 14.Preferably, the

upper portion of post 62 is saddle-shaped (FIGS. 5 and 7), coming to apeak at 72. The bottom of plug 70 includes sloped faces 74 and 76corresponding to the overall configuration of the upper portion of post62 and defining a recessed groove. Thus when the easel is positionedwith the panels and frame lying in a plane parallel to that of the wall,the upper portion of the post forms a tongue and groove-like fit withthe bottom of plug 70 to form a lock position wherein unintentionalrotation of the easel is resisted. When the easel is rotated out of theposition shown in FIG. 5, the peak 72 of the post rides up the inclinedfaces 74 and 76 and moves out of the tongue-groove-like relationship. Atthe same time, the easel is raised with respect to the post until amaximum raised position is reached as shown in FIG. 6. In this position,the panels of the easel are in a plane at a right angle to the wall. Atthis latter position, the easel is in effect in a state of unstableequilibrium in that if the easel is rotated to the left or the right,the relationship between the upper end of post 62 and the closed bushing64 reciprocates an automatic return of the easel to either the positionshown in FIGS. 2 and 5 or the mirror image of this position shown inFIG. 1.

The top 65 of bushing 64 abuts the underside short leg 46 of lowerelement 34.

An indexing stop tab 80 projects upwardly from top 65 of bushing 64 andfits flush against the short leg 46 of side element 38 (FIG. 5). Tab 80acts both as an indexer and stop for the bushing when inserted in socket66. This not only properly aligns the bushing within the socket so thatinclined faces 74 and 76 are properly positioned relative to the post,but in addition, prevents the bushing from rotating relative to theeasel as a result of its engagement with the post. Preferably, bushing64 is comprised of a polyurethane element while the post 62 is metallic.A substance such as polyurethane significantly decreases the frictiongenerated between the post and bushing when they are rotated relative toeach other such that the joint is essentially self-lubricating. Bypositioning a socket and bushing in each end of element 34, the easel 10is reversible for rotation about either'side.

The upper frame element 32 is pivotally secured to the upper leg 58 ofbracket '54 by a threaded bolt 84 which slips through an opening 36 inthe upper leg 58 and into threaded engagement with a tap 88 in element32 (FIG. 5). A tap 88 is positioned in vertical alignment with eachbushing 64. It will be appreciated that in lieu of a bolt 84, a pin orother conventional means could be inserted therebetween which whilepermitting rotational movement of the easel relative to the bracket willprevent lateral displacement therebetween.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 8 and 9, an alternative embodimentis shown wherein a book-like easel is shown comprised of two separateeasels 102 and 104, each comparable in construction to easel 10,hingedly joined by hinges 106. The easels rotate in book-like fashionand FIG. 8 shows them in a closed relationship while FIG. 9 shows themin an opened relationship wherein the easels 102 and 104 are co-planar.Easel 104 is wall mounted and non-rotating. Accordingly, its frame 30carries only a single display panel 112 (FIGS. 9 and 10). Easel 102rotates and thus carries a pair of panels and 111. Panel 110 is mountedin frame 30 and panel 111 is secured to panel 110. Panels 112 and 110might be chalk boards and panel 111 might be a tack board,alternatively, panel 112 might be a chalk board, panel 110 a tack boardand panel 111A decorative veneer. The easels can be locked in closedposition by lock 130 including latch 132 and catch 134 (FIG. 10).

A preferred means for mounting the book easel 100 is shown in FIG. 10and is comprised of a pair of vertically extending wall brackets 114.Each bracket 114 is a generally U-shaped channel member having a pair ofopposed legs 118 and 119 and a web portion 120. One of the legs of eachbracket 114 is secured to the wall 12 while the other leg is mounted topanel 112. Each bracket 114 includes a plurality of two-way key mountingslots in leg 118 which permit quick and easy insertion or removal fromthe heads of wall mounting bolts 123 (FIG. 11). The two-way slottingpermits easy inversion of book easel 100 to provide left or right handedopening of hinged easel 102. For inversion purposes, a chalk tray 50 ispositioned both at the top and bottom of frame 30 of, easel 104 (FIG.9).

Referring back to FIG. 9, a locking member 130 is shown for lockingeasels 102 and 104 in a planar relationship. Lock member 130 is achannel-shaped unit which gloves over the upper portions of the upperframe elements of each easel 102 and 104 thereby preventing them frommoving out of a planar relationship. Locking member 130 can be removedby lifting, at which point frame 102 can be rotated into the closedposition. It will be appreciated that the locking member could be anangular element to lock the two frames together at an angle other than180' degrees.

Referring now to. FIGS. 12 and 13, a novel mounting means 140 is shownfor detachably anchoring an easel 142, the easel being similar inconstruction to those already described, particularly to easel 104 ofbook easel 100. The mounting means 140 permits the easel to bedetachably mounted to a metal wall such as a typical moveable partitionwithout having to disrupt the wall surfaces with any fastener element.The mounting mechanism is comprised of a pair of channel-shaped brackets144 which are anchored to the easel panel 148 by screws 150 throughbracket front legs 151. The rear legs 152 of the brackets which arespaced from the panel 148 are mounted to a pair of magnetic plates 156.The magnetic plates are attracted to the metal partitions to secure theeasel to the wall. At the same time, quick removal of the easel from thewall is provided without leaving any unsightly mounting or fasteningholes. Appropriate rubber lining of the magnetic plates (not shown) willeliminate any abrasive contact between the plates and the particularwall surface. Since brackets 144 are preferably aluminum, the magneticplates 156 must be anchored thereto. However, it will be appreciatedthat if the brackets themselves are comprised of ferromagneticmaterials, the magnetic plates need not be physically fastened to thebrackets.

Although several embodiments have been shown and described in detail, itwill be obvious to those having ordinary skill in this art that thedetails of construction of the particular embodiments may be modifiedwithout departing from the broader concepts presented. It is thereforeintended that the invention is limited only by the scope of the appendedclaims rather than by particular details of construction shown, exceptas specifically stated in the claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows.

1. A wall easel comprising: a frame of generally C- shaped crosssection, having first and second legs joined by a web; said first legextending farther from said web than said second leg and havingretaining means extending longitudinally of said first leg, positionedapproximately in line with the edge of said second leg; a panelpositioned in said retaining means and abutting said edge of said secondleg.

2. The wall easel of claim 1 in which said first and second legs arejoined only by said web, said frame being hollow and open between saidlegs.

3. The wall easel of claim 1 in which said retaining means comprises apair of retaining flanges projecting from said first leg in the generaldirection of said second leg; said retaining flanges defining a groovewhose edge which is towards said web is in line with the edge of saidsecond leg.

4. The easel of claim 3 in which said frame is comprised of a pair ofside elements and an upper and lower element joined together, each ofsaid elements being extruded of a rigid, extrudable material.

5. The easel of claim 4 in which a rib projects inwardly at the junctionof said first leg and said web, said rib having the approximatecross-sectional configuration of said retaining flanges wherebyextrusion of said frame elements is facilitated.

6. The ease] of claim 1 in which a first panel is retained by saidretaining means and a second panel is secured to the back of said firstpanel; said easel being pivotally mounted whereby either said first orsecond panel can be exposed.

7. The easel of claim 6 in which said frame includes a pair of sideelements joined by upper and lower elements; said first leg of saidlower element including a hole therein for receiving a bushing forpositioning on a mounting post to facilitate pivotal mounting of saideasel; a bushing positioned in said hole having a top abutting saidsecond leg of said lower element; said bushing having a stop projectingupwardly from said top adjacent and abutting the second leg of the sideelement connected to said lower element.

8. The easel of claim 1 in which a bracket is connected to said easel;said bracket having a first leg secured to said easel and a second legspaced from said first leg away from said easel; a magnetic plate beingsecured to said second leg whereby said easel can be mounted on a metalwall.

9. A two-sided wall easel comprising frame means encompassing displaymeans for applying and removing indicia for visual communication, saidframe being swivelmounted to a wall, the improvement comprising abracket secured to the wall for mounting the easel in spacedrelationship from said wall to permit free pivotal movement relativethereto, said bracket having an upper and lower leg protruding away fromthe wall and spaced in vertical alignment, the upper leg including meansfor anchoring the upper portion of said easel frame to the upper leg forrotation relative thereto, said lower leg including anupwardly extendingpost, a socket positioned in the lower portion of said easel frame, saidsocket opening downwards for receipt of said post, and a bushing mountedin said socket to facilitate bearing rotation of said easel about saidpost, said bushing including stop means engageable interiorly withportions of said easel frame to prevent rotation of said bushingrelative to said frame.

10. The easel according to claim 9 wherein said bushing has a closed topfor engagement with the upper end of said post to space the lower frameportion from said lower bracket leg.

11. The easel according to claim 10 wherein said bushing is comprised ofpolyurethane or the like to provide relatively friction-free engagementbetween said bushing and post such that said bushing is essentiallyself-lubricating.

12. The easel according to claim 10 wherein said post end terminates ina peak and said closed end of said bushing includes a recessed groovehaving sloped sides so that when said post peak is aligned in saidgroove said easel is aligned in a plane paralel to the wall andprevented from unintentional rotation and so that when the post peak ismisaligned with said groove, said post peak cams on said sloped sidesand the gravitational weight of said easel causes it to rotate backtowards one of said positions whereby said post peak is aligned in saidgroove.

13. A wall easel comprising a pair of generally rectangular frames, eachof said frames having upper, lower and side elements encompassing one ormore display panels for the receipt of indicia for visual communication,said frames being hingedly mounted to each other with one of said framesanchored to a wall, the improvement comprising: a connector memberengageable with said pair of frames to lock said frames into a desiredangular relationship; said connector member being channel-shaped to fitover a portion of the upper frame element of each frame to thereby locksaid frames relative to each other.

14. The easel of claim 9 in which said means for anchoring the upperportion of said easel frame comprises: an aperture in said upper leg; abolt passing through said aperture and being threadably mounted in a tapin the upper portion of said easel frame.

15. A book easel comprising: a pair of easels hingedly joined together;one of said easels including a bracket for mounting to a wall; saidbracket including a plurality of slots, keyhole-shaped in both an upwardand downward direction whereby said one easel can be mounted in invertedfashion to render it a left hand opening or right hand opening easel.

16. The book easel of claim 15 which includes a channel shaped connectormeans for fitting over portions of the tops of said pair of easels tohold them in fixed angular relationship.

17. The book easel of claim 15 which includes a retaining tray mountedat the top and at the bottom of said one easel, said trays openingtowards each other so that one or the other of them can be useddepending on the position of said one easel.

18. The book easel of claim 15 in which each of said easels has a frameof generally C-shaped cross section, having first and second legs joinedby a web; said first leg extending farther from said web than saidsecond leg and having retaining means extending longitudinally of saidfirst leg, positioned approximately in line with the edge of said secondleg; a panel positioned in said retaining means and abutting said edgeof said second leg.

19. A wall easel comprising: a frame; a display panel mounted in saidframe; a mounting bracket mounted on said display panel; said bracketincluding a first' leg secured to said panel and a second leg spacedtherefrom;

a magnetic plate being secured to said second plate whereby said easelcan be mounted on a metallic surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 135,019 1/1873 Thorp 35631,958,579 5/1934 Johnson 3563 2,679,700 6/1954 'Urbain 35--65 3,659,3555/1972 Aubin 35--62 HARLAND S. SKOGQUIST, Primary Examiner

